A Fall Wedding

Two Fridays ago, I went to my old roommate's wedding in New York. I remember when she first texted me, "I'm engaged!"  When we got back from our break she told me she planned to have the wedding on November 5th, 2010. It seemed so far away!

Murphy's Law kept me being at the wedding on time. I sidled in as Ava Maria was being sung. I sat in the back so my heels wouldn't interrupt.

I sat watching my roommate's life changing and the moment felt so precious and special. Soon, she and her husband walked together down the aisle and everyone was smiling but most of all them.  I was so happy for her. The closer she got to me the more I teared up. She was so pretty and so happy and so deserving. It's hard to describe to someone who doesn't know her how much she deserves blissful happiness other to say that when I think of the description "good person" I always think of her.

As everyone exited the church they all hugged and congratulated Christina and Michael.  As I hugged her she said, "Amy! I can't believe you made it to the church! Thank you!"

Then finally, I met her family. I had heard so much about all of them already over the two years that she and I shared our cozy apartment. Her sisters, her brother, her aunts and uncles. I shook hands and hugged her Aunt Nina and her husband. They told me that they had heard a lot about me and I said the same. I told them, "My mom and dad met in India too!" because Christina had told me their story of meeting on a train there. Looking around at everyone happily chatting in a mixture of Italian and English I felt like I had been placed inside a painting. I had been imagining everyone from Christina's stories for so long and now they were all here and the moment was so perfect.

After a short wait at Christina's family's house, my boyfriend and I headed to the reception. Tables and tables of food were set out. The staff mentioned that there was going to be a cocktail hour but there was so much to eat I thought that this couldn't possibly count as cocktail hour. I dug in. It was 6 pm and I hadn't eaten yet. Eventually, I asked one of the staff members if this was just cocktail hour. She laughed and said, "Yeah." Oops.  Luckily, I can eat most people under the table.

At 7 pm music started to play in the next room, curtains opened up and everyone went inside. The room was beautiful and the centerpieces were lovely. I remember Christina talking to me about how important it was to her to have nice centerpieces.

I forgot my camera so you must adore this picture instead of one from the actual wedding. 

The rest of the night was full of music, dancing, and food. Despite my meal before dinner, I believe I was the only one at the table to finish my every course put in front of me. Everything I ate was delicious, vegan, and a welcome change from pasta and rice and beans. There were also a few speeches. Christina's twin sister talked about how shy Christina usually was around new people but when she first met Michael (9 years ago!) she would not shut up!

A good time was had by all. I was happy to see Christina so happy. People came from everywhere to see the wedding (California, Venezuela, and even Philly) and that is a testament to what good people Christina and Michael are.

On the drive back, my boyfriend and I sang very loudly with the car radio. It was quite a Journey.

Neither Here Nor There

In short, New York didn't happen.  I could go into deeper details but I don't want to repeat mistakes from my past and have a bunch of people angry at me.  Least of all myself.  I want to learn from my mistakes.

For a week, I believed and acted like I was moving away.  My plans seemed so sudden and daringly incomplete.  Things seemed too good to be true and at the same time I had vexing mixed feelings.

I knew that I would miss numerous small things and more obviously ones like, friends, family, and roommates.  The place I have been trying to leave for over a year now isn't so bad after all.  It just feels the same.  And this gives me feelings of restless. Sigh...I'm such an INFP...


"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”
                                                                                 ~ Marcel Proust

Send Me On My Way

After looking for jobs for months, I suddenly have three solid possibilities open to me.  Although I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch, I have hope that one of these things will work out.

About a week ago, a friend of mine told me that a paper they work at has positions open for paid internships.  Although I don't have an English or Journalism degree, I have always loved writing, particularly now that I am writing more days than not.  In an effort to counter the fact that I don't have a more applicable degree, I started to write three sample articles.  One article on wedding planning in our current financial climate, one article about veganism, and one article on a foreign exchange program my friend is in.

I setup interviews via Facebook with friends of mine who were engaged or were married.  It's a bit crazy to me that people my age are getting married.  Am I at that age already?  During the interview process, I was humbled by how much detail my friends went into.  It was more than I could have asked for and at the same time what I asked.  In doing this I also realized, I could do this for a living.  I find it interesting, creative, and fun.  Everything something should be that takes up most of a person's time.

After working on the wedding article, I got to work on the foreign exchange article.  My friend from grade school is currently in Korea teaching young kids English.  I asked her about it and in doing so, I got interested.  So I went to the website and signed up.  Soon after, I got an email and then a phone call.  Going to Korea to teach for a year seems like a far away possibility that is quickly becoming more likely.  I've thought from time to time that I would like to teach.  I'd like to help people on an everyday basis.  With teaching I could do that.  While I am hesitant to go for a whole year, if the opportunity presented itself I couldn't turn it down.  I would go in a heart beat and I know that I would love it!

While emails and phone calls were being exchanged about this Korean teaching program, I got a response to a job inquiry I sent out almost three weeks ago.  This job was for a part-time position at a New York Hostel.  The job was to check people in and out, make beds, and other minor chores.  After the hostel owner emailed me, I called the number he provided.  We talked about what type of person he was looking for and I brought up my idea which was working part-time in exchange for place to stay.  The man thought it over and felt that this could be arranged.  We've gotten in touch since then and found that we have a similar diet (he's on a mostly raw diet and I'm vegan).  If this job worked out the way that I am hoping, I will work at the hostel 20-hours a week and be able to spend the rest of my time looking for a full-time job.  This could be great for me!

Things seem to be looking up.  It's funny that all these gigs presented themselves at the same time but I can't say I'm surprised.  And I'm embarrassed to say that after all this, I know that I will miss things that I have taken for granted.  C'est La Vie. 



P.S.  Blogger changed their picture uploader and I haven't been able to add images since.  Boo!       

Job Search in the Big Apple

The most exciting thing that happened to me this week was I went to New York City in search of a job.  The day was eventful and adventurous.  My sister came with me for moral support and it was both needed and appreciated.  The bus ride was great, especially because I was on the stand by list and it could have turned out that I had to wait an hour for the next bus while my sister headed to the city.  Luck was on my side because I not only got on the bus but, I scored the front seat on the top level of the double decker!  Awesome!

My sister and I got to New York and we got subway day passes.  Great value!  Afterward, my sister and I attempted to find Chinatown which was harder than we imagined.  Eventually, our persistence paid off and we enjoyed delicious spring rolls and bead curd!

In the late afternoon, I got dressed up for an interview.  My sister was walking with me when one of her flip-flops broke.  Since I brought my heels for my interview and I had sneakers in my bag.  Fortunately, my sneakers fit my sister's feet.  Unfortunately, I only have four pairs of shoes, and without my sneakers I'm left with my flip-flops, ill-fitting tennis shoes from trash picking, and my heels.  Soon, I will visit my family, at which point I will be reunited with my go-to-shoes.      

Also this week, my roommate moved out and she took with her three cats that I have come to love and take care of over the months.  It was a tough week.  I cried most nights.  I'm sad that the cats are gone and my place seems empty.  At the same time, it feels like a relief to not have them around knowing they are leaving soon.  I think they got tired of me crying on them.